Parish of Wroughton and Wichelstowe

 

Sunday 18th February 2018

Lent 1

A PRAYER FOR LENT

Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek for rest;
to labour and not to seek for any reward,
save that of knowing that we do your will.

Amen                                        Ignatius of Loyola (1556)

Today

8.00am        Holy Communion

10.00am       Parish Communion

11.45am       Baptism Service for
Grace Eileen Hesketh

4.00pm        Church at 4

 

Diary – Week Commencing Sunday 18th February

Monday 19th February

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Church

10.00am        Lent Group – 11 St John Road

Tuesday 20th February

The Parish Office will be closed today

8.30am         Morning Prayer

12.30pm       Ladies who Lunch – Fabio’s restaurant

6.00pm         Clergy Surgery

7.30pm        Lent Group – 12 Artis Ave

7.30pm         Listening Post – 11 St John Road

Wednesday 21st February

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Parish Office

7.30pm         Lent Group – Church

Thursday 22nd February

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Church

7.30pm         Choir Practice – Church

7.30pm          Lent Group- 17 Edgar Row Close

Filling Station  – Carol & Tricia

Friday 23rd February

8.45am         Morning Prayer – Prospect Hospice

3.00pm         Lent Group-11 St John Road

7.00pm         Lent Group- 9 Marlborough Rd

7.00pm         Bellringers Practice

Saturday 24th February

9.30am         Healing on the Streets – Ellendune Centre

Dates for your diary

Wednesday 18th April- 7.30pm– Nicola’s licensing service at St Mark’s Church, Kempshott, Basingstoke

‘Walk through the Bible’

Saturday 23rd June- 10am- 4pm, Parish Hall- ‘Walk through the Bible’ is an opportunity to explore the big picture of the Bible with a trained presenter, alongside The Stowe Church. Booking fee and further details to follow.

Sunday 25th February 2018

Lent 2 

8.00am          Holy Communion

Preacher:       Marion Colton

Sidespeople:  John & Iris Smith

10.00am       Parish Communion

Preacher:       Marion Colton

Intercessions: Dr John Godfree

Reading:        Genesis 17: 1-7 & 15-16

Reader:         Keith Bassett

Gospel:         Mark 8. 31-end

Servers:        Alan Gregory and Gillian Pitter

Sidespeople:  Sally Parker and June Bradley

4.00pm          Church at 4

Led by:         Tracy Mason

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to Rosemary Humphries, David Johnstone, Ken Yule, Keith Freegard and Lynda Payne on their birthdays during the coming week.

Floodlighting

The Church will be floodlit on Sunday 18th February by Sharon Hawkins in memory of her Mum, Ann Hawkins on her birthday.

Vacancy Update

We are pleased to say that having shortlisted we will be welcoming and interviewing candidates over two days on 22nd and 23rd February. Please continue to keep this matter in your prayers. We will keep you updated with any further developments. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask Nick Orman or Paul Woolley. 

Lent Groups– starting this week!

In our Lent groups this year we will be ‘Journeying with Jesus’ over five studies. Small groups are a great space to get to know new people, ask honest questions and grow in faith– sign up for one this Sunday, even if you can’t do every week.

Monday- 10am at 11 St John Rd (Margaret)

Tuesday- 7.30pm at 12 Artis Ave (Carolyn/Sadie)

Wednesday- 7.30pm at the Parish Church (Tracy/Mark)

Thursday- 7.30pm (Nicola/Barbara)

22nd Feb and 1st March at 17 Edgar Row Close

8th, 15th and 22nd March at 49 Perry’s Lane

Friday- 3pm at 11 St John Rd (Margaret/Teresa)

Friday- 7pm at 9 Marlborough Rd (Clive/Sally) 

Lent Lunches

Lent lunches start on Friday 16th February at St Joseph’s Parish Centre every Friday during Lent from 12 noon to 12.45pm. Donations for Christian Aid / Cafod.

Lent resources

There are plenty of things to accompany you on your journey through lent this year…why not give one a try?

Live Lent: Let Your Light Shine takes you on a six week discipleship journey through the Gospel of John, exploring what it means to be a witness to the Christian faith. Find out more about #LiveLent at www.churchofengland.org/lent

NEW! Alongside the booklet, you can also download the Live Lent app for iOS and Android devices.

40 Acts

40 days, 40 reflections, 40 challenges to make a difference.

Join forces with a global, generous community of over one hundred thousand people who have completed the 40acts generosity challenge during Lent. 40acts.org.uk

Mean Bean Challenge

Sign up with Tearfund online for Lent reflections or try ‘The Mean Bean Challenge’- 5 days eating nothing but plain rice and beans, experiencing hunger, raising money and helping to end poverty.

‘Say it to God’ by Luigi Gioia

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s book for Lent 2018.

Have you ever felt a stumbling block in your prayers? Something you just can’t say, or don’t know how to say?

Or even just want a breath of fresh air for your prayer?

‘Say It To God’ is not a step by step formula for turning prayers into gold, but an exercise in trusting God. There are no specific word you need to utter, but rather you’ll find a world of reassurance and theological insights into prayer that will get you started on a road to a deeper, more meaningful prayer life.

Nicola’s Licensing

We have booked a coach so we can attend Nicola’s licensing at St. Mark’s Church, Kempshott on April 18th. We will leave Wroughton at 5.30pm. Cost per person will be £15 please see Jean Ford or Ross Fralley if you are wishing to attend.

Church Cleaning

We have inherited a wonderful building in which to meet together and worship God. However, it takes time and effort to keep it clean and tidy and this is all done by teams of volunteers from among our congregation. Recently, some of these have had to give up this valuable work and we need other willing volunteers to replace them. It only requires a couple of hours every 6 weeks and the ability to wield a duster, broom or vacuum cleaner. If you are able to offer your services, please speak to Margaret Penfound (tel. 812139).

Volunteers needed for Swindon Youth for Christ

SYFC are looking for some voluntary assistance with various administrative tasks– could you or someone you know help?

Volunteer in the office (general admin help needed till end of April), Volunteer to help with fundraising or Volunteer to help with data protection compliance.

Please contact Dave Howell (chair of trustees) by emailing david.howell@syfc.org.uk

Women’s World Day of Prayer – Friday 2nd March

This years service will be at St Josephs RC church at 11am on Friday 2nd March. It will be followed by a Lent lunch if you wish to stay. The service has been prepared by the women of Suriname and is open to anyone young or old, men or women. I would appreciate offers to read bits in the service so please see me on Sunday if you would like to do this. Please come and support our service. Janet Henderson 525856

Willows Counselling and Training Service Conference

On Friday 9th March 2018, 9.30am to 4pm ‘Help! My Empathy is Killing Me!’ with Tony Buckley. A day conference for the Counsellors, Therapist and other Helping Professionals. Cost £150. For more information please contact 01793 426650 or willowstraining.org

Ladies who Lunch

On Tuesday 20^th February at 12.30pm at Fabio’s (Italian restaurant) . They are opposite The Museum on Bath Road.

Names to Gwen by Sunday 18^th please

CHURCH IN THE WIDER WORLD

Swindon Youth for Christ

works in a number of secondary schools in the town. They take lessons and assemblies to enhance the curriculum, run lunchtime clubs to give students the opportunity to consider what Christ’s good news means for them, and mentor students, particularly those at risk of exclusion from school.

Please pray for the team and the volunteers who support them in this work, that what they say and do will help the young people in making the best life choices  

Knitting for Mission to Seafarers

Thanks again to all our keen knitters. I have received a letter from The Mission to Seafarers thanking us for the knitwear I sent in September and last week I was able to send off another batch of 22 hats and 21 scarves to the charity. Also thanks to those who have donated wool – there is a good selection in the white boxes on the bench by the choir vestry together with patterns, so please help yourselves if you want to get started on a hat, scarf or gloves. Completed items should be put in one of these boxes. As the weather gets colder and the nights draw in this is an ideal time to get those needles busy. For further information talk to Janet Henderson (525856).

This week please also pray for:-

• Swindon Youth for Christ
• The residents of Bakers Road and Fernacre Road
• Our Lent Groups as they start this week
• We commend to God’s care and keeping those who have died recently especially Iris Higgins, Francis Perry, Betty Spalding, Patricia Harris and Clarice Hardiman. We pray for all who mourn the loss of loved ones.

 

 

 

Sunday 7^th January 2018

Epiphany

A PRAYER FOR THIS YEAR

Bless us, O Lord, and bless this year,

the time and seasons yet to come.
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Fill this new year with your kindness,
that we may be glad and rejoice
all the days of our life. Amen

Today

8.00am     Holy Communion

10.00am     Parish Communion

4.00pm     Church at 4

6.00pm     Evensong

Diary – Week Commencing Sunday 7th January

Monday 8th January

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Church

10.00am       Bible Study Group – 11 St John Road

7.30pm        Wichelstowe Planning Group

Tuesday 9th January

The Parish Office will be closed today

8.30am         Morning Prayer

6.00pm        Clergy Surgery

7.30pm        Churchyard Committee Meeting

Wednesday 10th January

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Parish Office

6.00pm        Learning Disability Group – Church

Thursday 11th January

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Church

7.30pm        Choir Practice – Church

Filling Station         – Neen & Chris

Friday 12th January

8.45am         Morning Prayer – Prospect Hospice

7.00pm        Bellringers Practice

Saturday 13th January

9.30am         Healing on the Streets – Ellendune Centre

Ladies who Lunch

Next meeting will be on Thursday 18th January, 12.30pm at the Crown, Broad Hinton.

Sunday 14th January 2018

Epiphany 2

8.00am       Holy Communion

Preacher:      Revd Barbara Abrey

Sidespeople: Jean Reens and Christine Wrixon

10.00am     Parish Communion

Preacher:      Revd Barbara Abrey

Intercessions: Diane Phillips

Reading:       Revelation 5: 1-10

Reader:        Ann Stone

Gospel:        John 1: 43-end

Servers:        Cheryl Hawkins and Andrew Kirk

Sidespeople: Lillian Wicks and Ross Fralley

4.00pm       Church at 4

Led by:         Teresa Townsend

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to Claire Winter, Gordon Barclay,Joan Hazlett and Jill Hinds on their birthdays during the coming week.

Floodlighting

The Church was floodlit on Saturday 6th January by Chris Collins in memory of Barbara Collins; on Monday 8th January by Jeanne Howland in memory of her father, Joe Camden, who died 1972.

Vacancy Update

Thank you to everyone who participated in our day of prayer, it was good to spend a day seeking God and asking Him to lead the right person to us. The PCC recently reviewed and agreed the advert and paperwork that will be used in recruitment. The intention is to advertise the post over a period of 4 weeks, starting just before Christmas. Shortlisting and interviews will take place in February.

Do please continue to keep this matter in your prayers, and please circulate the advert as widely as possible in due course. We will continue to keep you updated with any developments. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask Nick Orman or Paul Woolley.

Games afternoon

Brighten up a wintery Sunday afternoon with a few board games amongst friends! Come and join us next Sunday afternoon (14th Jan) from 2.30pm at the Parish Hall- and maybe stay on for Church at 4.

New Year’s resolution?

Whether you make them or not, why not try something new this year? Read a book that helps you to grow in faith, develop a spiritual discipline, join a small group. come and pray, share your faith… what will be your next step with God as you begin on the journey of 2018?

The Harbour Project

If you are having a clearout before Christmas and are discarding men’s warm coats (Small sizes are particularly needed), please consider donating them to the Harbour Project. During this cold weather, many of the asylum seekers are ill equipped – any gloves and hats will also be gratefully received. Please speak to Margaret Penfound if you can help.

Love and Blessings from New Creation this Advent season! Love and Blessings is the title of a 3-track CD we have just produced to thank Michael Johnson for his support over the years and to mark his retirement. The CD features the song specially written for Michael which we sang after the service in May. There are also two more of our songs, previously unrecorded. We’re giving the disc away free of charge and hope that you enjoy it! We hope it will make you feel happy to make a small contribution to a cause of your choice (perhaps The Children’s Society which is currently one of our chosen charities). Please feel free to ask for more than one copy if you think the album would make a good seasonal gift. Helen Toomer and Andrew Bond are the people to ask.

Can you help?

Some of you have met Joyce who comes from Kenya and some of you will know that I have been selling beaded bags, the proceeds from which go to the well project that Joyce helps to run. She has been over here working on Berkeley farm and is now childminding while her Kenyan friends are on holiday. She applied for a course in Devon called “Beyond development 2018” and she has been offered a bursary to do the course in Totnes. However she has to find £150 deposit and her bus/ train fare and has asked for our help. Clive and I support her 100% and hopefully some of you will be able to help. Sally Parker

The Listening Post

This month’s prayer meeting will be ecumenical and will be on 30th January at 7.30pm in the Church Hall. Please join us for one hour of prayer with our Christian brothers and sisters from the other churches. Together we are stronger and more effective. 

New Team Member wanted – Legge House

Required from February a flexible, friendly, versatile and hardworking individual to join the small Legge House Team ensuring our guests have a homely, clean relaxing environment that makes “Quality Time Possible.”

Although the individual will initially be expected to concentrate on cleaning there will be the opportunities to learn other tasks including hosting, welcoming and assist with the catering too. In other words to become an all-rounder. Training given. Pay may be only £8 per hour or minimum wage if under 25 years old (for initially a sixteen hour week) but the rewards in terms of service and job satisfaction far exceed any monetary value that a job can offer.

Are you the team member we are looking for? Contact Mark or Sheila for an informal discussion and to discuss options.

leggehouse@btconnect.com

Women’s World Day of Prayer

This year’s service will be on Friday 2nd March at St Josephs Church at 11am and will be followed by a Lent lunch. It focuses on the women of Suriname. I will be looking for readers for the service nearer the time but feel free to let me know if you are interested.

Thank you Janet Henderson 525856 

CHURCH IN THE WIDER WORLD

The Children’s Society

This Christmas, more than 2,000 children will go missing from home. Some of them may also be criminally exploited by gangs. Gangs deliberately target vulnerable children, such as those in care or living in poverty. Most are boys, but some are girls. Gangs groom, deceive or threaten these children and young people into carrying and selling drugs for them. Children and young people criminally exploited in this way often also experience child sexual exploitation and abuse, serious violence and psychological trauma.

These young people will often go missing for days at a time, as they are trafficked around the country by gangs.

The Children’s Society, along with Missing People, is providing support to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on young runaways and missing children and adults. In December the APPG is holding an event in parliament to raise awareness of children and young people who go missing because they are exploited by gangs.

Please pray:

• For the safety of children missing from home this Christmas
• That the Children’s Society will be able to make contact with missing children and help them resolve their problems
• For the Society’s influence on the government to tackle the increase in child exploitation
• That every child will have the opportunity to see the light of Christ coming into the world at Christmas

Knitting for Mission to Seafarers

Thanks again to all our keen knitters. I have received a letter from The Mission to Seafarers thanking us for the knitware I sent in September and last week I was able to send off another batch of 22 hats and 21 scarves to the charity. Also thanks to those who have donated wool – there is a good selection in the white boxes on the bench by the choir vestry together with patterns, so please help yourselves if you want to get started on a hat, scarf or gloves. Completed items should be put in one of these boxes. As the weather gets colder and the nights draw in this is an ideal time to get those needles busy. For further information talk to Janet Henderson (525856).

This week please also pray for:-

• Swindon Youth for Christ
• The residents of Woodland View and Croft Road
• Bible Study groups
• Patients, Staff and volunteers of the Prospect Hospice
• Our Churchyard Committee
• We commend to God’s care and keeping those who have died recently especially Donald Evans, Barrie Howell and Marion Smith. We pray for all who mourn the loss of loved ones.